assistive technology

1. What is Assistive
Technology?
Presented by: Amanda Carter

2. Assistive Technology
 Assistive Technology is a device or service that is used to help a student with a
disability perform to their greatest extent possible. It may be used to help them
reach their IEP goals or help them participate in the general education curriculum.
 Students can utilize assistive technology many ways.
-participation in the classroom or socially with others
-performing academics
-proper positioning when writing, sitting, ect.
-mobility around school
-anything used to improve functional capabilities for disabled people

3. Law on Assistive Technology
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act) 2004, is a United States law that mandates
equity, accountability and excellence in education for children with disabilities.
IDEA 2004, defines assistive technology device as “any item, piece of equipment, or product
system. That is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child and
specifically excludes a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such
device.”
IDEA 2004, Assistive Technology service is any service that directly assists a child with a disability in
the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.
IDEA 2004, requires IEP teams to consider the assistive technology needs of all children with
disabilities. IEP have to make decisions based on individual needs of the child and if it is
determined the child needs assistive technology it is the schools responsibility to provide it.
IDEA 2004, also requires school districts to provide training for teachers, student and family.
More information about the law on assistive technology can be found at
http://idea.ed.gov/

4. Hearing Impaired
 Frequency- Modulated(FM) Amplification system. These systems are used for
the hearing impaired student in the classroom. The teachers/speaker wears a
transmitter that transmits and amplifies sound to the student or students
wearing the ear piece. Helps to create a link between the student and
teacher.

5. Visually Impaired
Reading device that
magnifies or enlarges print
for visually impaired
people. This device is
simple to operate and
would be great for
elementary students. It
uses LED lighting.
This device is an Eye-Pal.
It has a USB drive that
scans information in text
ad converts it to printed
Braille or speech.

6. Learning Disabled
Talking calculator devices
that would benefit students
with a learning disability in
math especially in the area of
math calculations. These
calculators have a speech
synthesizer that reads aloud
each number, symbol, or
operation key the user
presses. It will also read the
answers to a problem which
gives the student auditory
feedback.
Talking
calculator with
earpiece.
Scientific
talking
calculator

7. Physically disabled
This is a USB
switch that can
be used to
operate an
iphone, ipad
and other
electronic
devices.
The Sip N Puff system can be used for various
types of physically handicap students. There are
different applications the device can be used for
like controlling the operations of computers,
wheelchairs and can work many speech devices.
This device is great for students with restrictive
movements.

8. References:
 Assistive Technology Device & Services.(ND). Retrieved June 10, 2014, from
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/atech.index.htm
 Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004.(2004).Retrieved June 9, 2014, from http://idea.ed.gov/
 Crandell, C. & Kreisman, B. (2002). Frequency Modulation (FM) Systems for Children with
Normal Hearing. Retrieved from http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/frequency-
modulation-fm-systems-for-1166
 Doering, A. & Roblyer, M. (2013). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching 6th
edition. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Prentice Hall.
 Sip and Puff Switch Solutions. (ND). Retrieved June 10, 2014 from
http://www.orin.com/access/sip_puff/
 Stand Magnifiers. (ND). Retrieved June 10, 2014 from http://www.eschenbach.com/
 What is Assistive Technology? (ND). Retrieved June 10,2014 from
http://www.kidstogether.org/at.htm